If I tell you that in your painting, your occlusion shadows are missing, would you know what I’m saying?
We talk a lot about lights, but do we give sufficient attention to shadows? I have a notion that if we know what to look for, we’re most likely to see it. Once we see it, we can decide how to use it in our work. But if we don’t see it, we won’t consider it at all. Consequently, our work might go lacking.
Look at the images in this photo (that I call Scene 1).
The apple on the left works well, but in the one on the right, the shadows are out of kilter. Let’s break it down into two crucial areas and show how the shadow parts are missing.
Form Shadow--All areas on a shape turning away from the light source.
Cast Shadow--Any shadow caused by the light being blocked.
In Scene 2, examine the apple on the right where the stem exits it. Compare it with the same apple in Scene 1. Do you see what’s missing in Scene 1?
Core Shadow--That part of a form shadow closest to where it begins to turn away from the light source. The reflective light within the Form Shadow causes the Core Shadow.
Occlusion Shadow--That tiny area where the shape touches a surface within which all light is shut out.
Here are our apples with all their shadows in the right places, feeling much better now.
thankyou - can you tell me about the book you have written would love to buy it - kind regards